I am on my second van - a 2003 GMC Savana 2500 factory passenger van with the 6.0V8 and 3.73 rear. I had the van set up to carry 8 passengers (no rear bench seat). This gives me plenty or storage space behind the 2nd row rear seat. My mistake was in not getting the 4.10 rear. I can only tow 7,900 pounds instead of 10,000 with a 4.10. Personally, I am very disappointed with both Ford and GMC is not providing 5 or 6 speed transmissions in vans. They do in the pickups and Ford has the 5 speed for the Class C's. I bet more folks with TT's would buy vans, if they could tow more out of the factory.
John L - Toms River, NJ
2003 Savana G2500 8 Passenger Van, 6.0 V8, 3.73 Rear, Factory Tow Pkg - 2007 Sprinter Copper Canyon 2591RBS 27.7' - Reese Dual Cam Sway
JJLJR wrote: I can only tow 7,900 pounds instead of 10,000 with a 4.10. Personally, I am very disappointed with both Ford and GMC is not providing 5 or 6 speed transmissions in vans. They do in the pickups and Ford has the 5 speed for the Class C's. I bet more folks with TT's would buy vans, if they could tow more out of the factory.
All Ford E350 vans with the 6.0 powerstroke (came out in '04) and all V10 vans since '05 have the 5-speed torqueshift. The V10s also get Tow-haul mode that includes grade braking. Grade braking downshifts the transmission when the brake is applied (2 gears for hard braking) and also downshifts if the cruise control is set and your speed is increasing.
You left out the E350 van's factory optional Extendable/Retractable towing mirrors,
Optional integrated Trailer Brake Module
Tachometer
and Ford's great looking integrated optional HD (8 bolt) aluminum wheels.
GM was supposed to install the 6 Speed automatic in the 2500/3500 vans for 2010 but GM's website still says 4 speed auto and so does the "build it now option".
Still no tach, no extendable towing mirrors - not sure on optional integrated Trailer Brake Module.
This is a followup to my earlier post. I was not as clear as I should have been. I wanted to be able to use either the Ford 5.4V8 or the GM 6.0V8 with a 5, but preferable, 6 speed transmission. I feel that the max tow with a 3.73 could get to 10,000 pounds with the proper gearing. This would/should also produce acceptable fuel economy both towing and solo. Also, I agree with the post on GM not providing a tach, trans temperature guage, good towing mirrors, built in brake controller, etc on the vans.
My V10 with the 4R100 gets better fuel economy towing a full-profile trailer than my dad's 5.4L E350 with 3.55 gears. It simply doesn't have the torque to stay in overdrive, and requires a lot more throttle all around.
But solo, his van does do much better. He gets about 17-18 mpg, and I get about 14.5.
carringb - the online ford and configurators seem to prevent putting a diesel in the long wheelbase passenger versions of the vans (but they do on the commercial versions same wheelbase or the shorter passenger).
Chevy only seems to allow in the commercial versions, neither wheelbase of the 3500.
Will either allow you to do it through a dealer/etc or is their some reason they don't allow these combos. I thought i'd seen older extended e350s with the 7.3?
thx
-brad
05' Suburban K2500 8.1L w 3.73's
00' Catalina Lite 241FK (modified alot including bunk beds)
Jordan Ultima / Reese 1000lb? WD / Dual Cam / EU2000 / (2) T105s
shenandoah75 wrote: carringb - the online ford and configurators seem to prevent putting a diesel in the long wheelbase passenger versions of the vans (but they do on the commercial versions same wheelbase or the shorter passenger).
It's because Roll Stability Control isn't available on the diesel. Ford made RSC mandatory on extended vans a few years back.
To get the E350 EL with a diesel, you would have to order one (through a fleet dealer that does SVO orders) with the RV-prep package, window package, insulation package, rear HVAC package, and then order each of the seats/interior panels/seatbelts/carpet as sepererate line items. There are a few dealers who know this workaround, but most don't and some will say it can't be done. It's not the easiest way to get a van, but it allows options not typically available in a wagon (such as 7800 rear springs, or 5000 pound front springs)
That said... Unless you drive a LOT of miles each year, you'd be hard pressed to make up the extra purchase cost compared to the V10 (I think about $6500). The V10 has almost as much torque as the diesel, and more horsepower. Plus in the long run, the V10 is the more reliable option IMO.
Carringb, I hadn't thought about the stability control not being available with the diesel engine. I was a little confused when GM only offered the diesel in the commercial version of my van. Is it because the diesels don,t have drive by wire electronic throttle control? I know the stability control became mandatory on the larger passenger vans due to too many roll over accidents with inexperienced drivers and fully loaded vans.
I also agree that the GM line will not handle a 11,500 lb trailer. Maximum trailer weight for my 3500 is only 7,700 lbs (14,000 lbs GCWR) with 3.73 gears. You can gain another 2,000 lbs with the diesel or 4.10 gears (if available). My owners manual includes the 4.10 gears in the towing chart but the ratio appeared not to be an option in 2006.
I like the features you mention on the Ford E350. Do the newer models have independent front suspension like the GM vans? Thanks.
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